WTCC – Michelisz: up to 8 title contenders

Norbert Michelisz will compete in his second season with the Castrol Honda World Touring Car Team after finishing 4th last year. The Hungarian and his team will have higher ambitions in 2017 following the withdrawal of Citroën Racing.

After testing at Motorland Aragon (Spain) last month, Norbert Michelisz has good hopes of doing better than last year.

“I always worry about being too confident going into the season, recognized the Hungarian. You have to stay focused and have the same approach as last year. IF we succeed, we will be strong contenders for the title. There are still quite a few developments to be made before the first race in Marrakech, but with the information I have, we should have our chances for the coronation if everything goes as planned. »

If the Honda Civic WTCC is in the running, his biggest opponent could nevertheless be his teammate Tiago Monteiro who finished 3rd in the Drivers' standings with two points ahead of Norbert Michelisz.

“If the title doesn't go to me, I think it will go to Tiago, admitted the three-time winner of the Trophée des Indépendants. He proved last year that he is a fantastic driver and he clearly evolved in his driving between 2015 and 2016. Then it will certainly be Rob (Huff) and the Volvo drivers. It's hard to give a name because I think there will be between 6 and 8 drivers able to fight for the title. »

Honda drivers will be particularly wary of Rob Huff who will ride on a Citroën C-Elysée entered by All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport.

“Rob remains a big threat, confided Norbert Michelisz. I know very well, especially since last year, that he is a world-class driver. The combination with the Citroën will be very competitive. But he won't be the only one. I heard that Volvo is doing a lot of testing and that they could have a very efficient crew (Yvan Muller is expected) and the season promises to be exciting. We will be more efficient than in 2016 because we will have a better car, but our opponents will respond. »

Honda finished in 2nd place in the Manufacturers' Championship ahead of Lada and Volvo Polestar, but the Japanese brand finished almost 300 points behind Citroën Racing.